Unless you have had the privilege of being a part of the Extended Care Christmas dinner, you wouldn’t have experienced the kindness and love that happens all year round at Lady Minto Hospital and culminates in December.

You might be an Auxiliary Member who helps serve up the dinner, a Well Known performer who charms the carols out of the residents, a staff member in ECU who quietly does what they do best or you might be the Activities Co-ordinator who makes sure everyone is comfortable and having a good time. And you might be an Adult child of a parent living in Extended Care who considers this place, this group of dedicated Health Workers and Volunteers a blessing in their lives.

As one such Adult Child exclaimed “six months ago I didn’t really even know this place existed and now I think it is most amazing  that we are so fortunate to be living here and able to be a part of Lady Minto’s Extended Care Unit.”

I have participated in the Christmas Carol Sing Along and Dinner for the past three years. The cheerful decorations, the voices lifted in song,  the smiles and love radiate throughout the room until all you feel is joy.

Indeed, it is magical.

Written by Gil Schultz

When my wife, Fran, and I were looking at the Gulf Islands as a place to retire, several people advised us that “You want to choose Salt Spring Island because it has a hospital.”  What good advice that was.   Since moving here eight years ago,  members of our family have hit the Emergency Department at Lady Minto Hospital for treatment of a blackberry picker’s  infected finger, an in-grown toenail, an ulcer attack, a tetanus shot for a bite sustained while playing with the dog, a broken arm,  a corneal abrasion, and tonsillitis.  On average, that is about one emergency department visit per year.  That is pretty close to the norm for Salt Spring Islanders.  Did you know that last year there were 9147 visits to the Emergency Department (an average of 25/day) and over the last three years, these visits have resulted in an average of 536 admissions annually?  Besides the large numbers of patients seen, the other great thing is that these visits are fast.  In my own family’s case, we were rarely there for longer than 40 minutes to deal with our problems, a far cry from the four or more hour waits we were used to in Calgary before our move to Salt Spring Island.

The Emergency Department isn’t the only busy unit.  Did you know that the Laboratory collects blood samples from an average of 60 patients a day and deals with samples from Emergency, Acute Care, Extended Care and Greenwood’s patients?  That amounts to samples from about 15,000 patients per year.  The lab provides 22 different chemistry analyses, hematology, coagulation tests and urinalysis.  If you multiply that by the number of patients, you can see how much work goes on.  Thank goodness that renovations being funded by the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation and the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) to expand the space available for the laboratory are in progress.  Those Medical Laboratory Technologists really need and deserve it.

Radiology and Imaging are not very different from the Laboratory.  Last year there were roughly 12,000 imaging procedures (about 7500 X-rays and 4500 ultrasounds) performed on patients.  In addition, Dr. Shea uses fluoroscopy techniques to perform, on average, 4 joint injections per day.  It is notable that the Department went digital in 2004 to get rid of the environmental problems caused by chemicals involved with development of film.  In the past two years, through Foundation and VIHA contributions, it has been able to purchase and upgrade all of its major equipment to first rate standards.

Last year Salt Spring Island Ambulance transported 607 patients to Lady Minto Hospital as well as providing ground transportation for 220 patients off island.  In addition, there were 39 pre-hospital or hospital transfer air ambulance trips.  The list goes on.

Did you know that Dr. Morse carries out an average of 33 endoscopy procedures per month, an annual total of about 400?  Think what that saves the patients in ferry fares alone to say nothing of the health benefits of having this simple but potentially lifesaving procedure on our doorstep.

Did you know that the Pharmacy Department at Lady Minto manages 3500 medication items and that the Dietary Staff prepare over 55,000 meals in a year?  The Laundry Department washes nearly 20 pounds of laundry per patient per day for a total of 360,000 pounds in any given year and the housekeeping staff washes over 1 million square feet of floors annually.  The hospital staff  use 3000 pairs of disposable gloves, 80 insulin syringes, 734 diapers and 82 mouth swabs per week.

There are plenty more numbers to have fun with but you can see that there is a lot going on at our local hospital.  I have served on the Hospital Foundation Board for six years and have never regretted the efforts made to seek funds for equipment and improvements that can enhance health care and services at Lady Minto.  We all use and depend on it in one way or another. The community has been great in providing support for the Hospital although in the last couple of years donations have been down compared to annual contributions previously.  That aside, there is lots of Good News at Lady Minto Hospital, and with the support of Salt Spring Islanders, the Foundation along with the Hospital Auxiliary will continue to fund as many urgent needs and initiatives as it can.

Interviewing Dr. Don Shea is a bit like talking to the ultimate optimist. He is an engaging reflective host with a positive outlook. His enthusiasm for his colleagues, the hospital, Salt Spring and the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation are front and center.

So as we wandered the halls of the hospital, documenting equipment purchases  that have made his job easier, I gleaned a deeper insight into our retiring Radiologist.  In speaking with a staff member you get the complete picture of a man who

”has been unfailingly kind, approachable, and good-humoured.  He is a good team player and does not hesitate to give credit to others for their contributions.  He has spent a considerable amount of his personal time mentoring International Medical Graduates, has followed their careers afterwards and is genuinely thrilled with their accomplishments and success.  It is clear that he loves his work and it has been a pleasure to work with him.”

Dr. Don Shea didn’t originally set out to become a Diagnostic Radiologist. Marine Biology was on his mind, but  a Professor of Histology from Stanford Medical School persuaded him that he “really didn’t want to do that”.

He graduated from Victoria College in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts. In between that and Medical school he did some travelling to the UK and ended up as a researcher for an Associate at the University College Hospital in London. He graduated in 1969 from McGill University as an MD.  A stint, between year 3 and 4, collecting cases for the head of Radiology at Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal peaked his interest in this specialty, thus finishing his Radiology Residency at University of British Columbia in 1974.

Prior to moving to Salt Spring, Don Shea and his wife Wendy had been living and working in Nanaimo. Numerous boat trips to this island encouraged them to retire here. They bought a home and permanently moved here in 1998. Karen Davies, hospital administrator, got word of their arrival and asked if he would be interested?

In Nanaimo, Dr. Shea was the only Radiologist north of Victoria doing angiography and was extraordinarily busy doing intervention radiology – anything minor where you stick a needle in the body – like joint injections. He was also Department Head for his last five years there. He was “starting to burn out”. Lady Minto Hospital was a “great soft landing”.

In his first year here the volume grew and it became obvious they could benefit from having an ultra sound machine. Along came Jack Fisher, striding into Karen Davies office, with a cheque for $100,000 – half of the cost. The Lady Minto Hospital Foundation paid for the other half and the department was able to provide an even broader spectrum of patient services. Dr. Shea feels that is just a small example of how well informed the patients are about the hospital and how much the community appreciates it.

Don Shea certainly appreciates this hospital. He describes it as a magical place to work with its family-like atmosphere. He feels its delightful cottage-like ­­­­­­­­­­­­ambience makes it easier to accomplish better patient care. With the proximity of colleagues you can easily design the best path of treatment, resulting in more time to spend with patients, which no doubt improves the quality of care.

All of these attributes and a great Radiology team have made Lady Minto a “most pleasant” place to work. Don’s team consists of the Department Head and Ultrasound Technician, Judith Harrison and three x-ray Technicians: Chris Gix, Arlene Nikiforuk and Aaron Minvielle.  Everyone works in close communication, Dr. Shea is available to the team all the time – which again results in better quality of care. He states that “Radiology by remote control doesn’t work. And it’s easier to achieve an efficient operation given their small size.”

This also applies to joint injections. In Victoria you would wait up to 4 months, here it’s a week or two and “if it’s painful, we’ll do it the same day”.  Which leads to a huge level of job satisfaction when a patient shouts to him across the parking lot, waving an arm they most recently couldn’t move due to the pain. Or another who says “you have changed my life, I couldn’t hold a cup of coffee, now I can golf.”

Those moments and more have made his reflections on Lady Minto Hospital all extremely positive…”it has been a joy working here.”

One last hurrah

We’re not giving the last words to Dr. Shea….

“Dr. Shea has been a huge support to me in my position. He has such a varied background which I have found very helpful in the course of doing my job. Don has been a great advisor and very supportive to me during the challenging times. He also loves to teach and is always available to staff to discuss interesting cases.”

Bill Relph, Site Manager, LMH

When I think of Don Shea, the physician, the thing that always comes to mind is his approachability He has always been keen and enthusiastic to discuss cases, review x-rays and give recommendations.

Don brought a wealth of radiological experience and expertise that will be sadly missed along with his ever friendly personable attitude and his overwhelming enthusiasm to teach students and residents.

Shane Barclay, MD, Chief of Staff, LMH

Actual retirement is up in the air for Dr. Shea...teaching might be on his horizons.

”One of the high points for any student visit at Lady Minto is the time spent with Dr. Don Shea.  He very generously spends time with everyone from first year nursing students, to medical residents.  His obvious love of teaching shines through as does his extensive knowledge.

From a personal note, his skill at performing joint injections is legend among the staff.  Many of us have been helped by him.   After one treatment my stiff and painful thumb is much better; I can open my own pickle jars again!  Thanks, Don.  We’re going to miss you!”

Jo Twaites, Clinical Coordinator, LMH

Jo Twaites checks "Moose's" heart rate while Mac Schat looks on.

 Teddy Bears out of the woods and all in good health…

Families were encouraged to attend the Foundation’s equipment demonstrations where Mega Code Kelly, a.k.a. M.C. Kelly was demonstrated along with the FAST Ultrasound and other essential emergency room equipment.  Many thanks to Dr.Shane Barclay, Dr. Paula Ryan and Ian Whipple, Acute Care Nurse for helping out in the demo room. 

The Teddy Bear Clinic was a big hit and lots of kids were lined up to have their teddy bears  checked over by a nurse and a doctor (alternatively, the stuffed toys were sometimes monkeys and even a Dalmatian was featured!)  Dr. Carrie McQuarrie, Family Practice Resident and Jo Twaites, Clinical Coordinator for Lady Minto’s Nursing Department were on hand to perform thorough examinations and treatment for the bears.    Face painting was provided by Odette Graham, Freddie Dailly and Roxy Dailly and helium balloons were offered to the kids.  Refreshments were available and Country Grocer kindly donated cheese sticks for the children (an in-store tradition).  Donations were also received from West of the Moon and Pharmasave where extra teddy bears, bandages and balloons were donated.

Mega Code Kelly was the star of the show and thanks to Dr. Barclay everyone was treated to a full range of the medical teaching manikin’s capabilities. 

Stay tuned for next year as the Foundation and Salt Spring Fire Rescue plan to hold a similar event to feature upcoming equipment purchases and of course the Teddy Bear Clinic.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION’S 20^th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT.  Together, we raised over $28,000 to help purchase equipment for our island hospital. It was the collective work of 180 enthusiastic golfers and dozens of volunteers, financial sponsors and prize donors.

Farmer’s Institute and Thrifty’s kindly supplied the registration tents. Water and sunblock for all golfers were generously provided by Pharmasave and greatly appreciated.

Our SPECIAL PUTTING CONTEST  (slideshow below) the day before the tournament was a suspenseful afternoon – thanks to RBC Dominion Securities for sponsoring this exciting contest for the second year in a row, as well as the Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive contests.

 A huge thank you to Steve Marleau, Brett Webb, Don Nemeth and staff at the Salt Spring Golf and Country Club. A special thanks to Junior Golfer, Nicholas and Big Bopper, Charlie who hit stunning long drives to help many golfers boost their scores.

 Jesse Blanchette and his staff at the Falconshead Grill and Lounge served up a wonderful buffet dinner and applause to the Salt Spring Garden Club members who arranged beautiful rose centerpieces for the tables.

 Once again our auctioneer, Dan Bouchard, was a great entertainer, keeping the crowd laughing and bidding at the same time.

 Thanks also to Diana Hayes who took candid photos throughout the day, to Sarah Howe for the slide show and to Kate Hosie Schat, Carolyn Mouat, Joanna Southwell and Sue Savage, our registration tent wizards.

For advertising and publicity, we are grateful to the Driftwood, T & T Signs, Salt Spring Chamber of Commerce and the Salt Spring Exchange. 

PLEASE JOIN US IN THANKING ALL OUR WONDERFUL SUPPORTERS.

Gold Sponsors:  Blackburn Mall, RBC Dominion Securities & John Lefebvre

Hole in 1 Sponsors:  Saunders Subaru & Sears Canada

Putting Contest Sponsor:  RBC Dominion Securities

 HOLE SPONSORS

BMO Bank of Montreal            Dr. Richard Hayden                      Driftwood  Driftwood Publishing

Gulf Island Septic                       Hazenboom Construction           Leith Wheeler Investments

CONGRATULATIONS!

to the 2011 winners of the Hewitson Cup for the lowest team score:

Chad Little, Chad Schill, Martin Harper, Zak Cutshall

 SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

FOR OUR REAL GOLF EVENT CLICK ON THE “EVENTS” TAB ABOVE !

 [[Show as slideshow]]

15^TH ANNUAL PHANTOM BALL – THE BEST NON-EVENT OF THE YEAR!

Don’t miss a change to win the prize spa package for two at the exclusive

Galiano Inn – Oceanfront Inn & Spa

We are pleased to be able to invite you not to attend our annual Phantom Ball. It’s a Phantom Ball because, well, it doesn’t exist, and think what that means:

 •          You don’t have to squeeze those extra pounds into that old suit or gown

•           No baby sitters

•           You can put off buying shaving cream for another month

•           A handy excuse, as in, “I’m sorry, I have to attend the Phantom Ball that night”

•           You won’t have to dance the embarrassing “Gum Boot Two Step”

 With the money you save by not attending, you can help the Lady Minto Hospital purchase much needed equipment.  This year, we will be making a significant contribution toward the upgrading of our Laboratory Department as well as our Extended Care Unit and will continue to support the nurses’ education fund each year.  We are proud of our community hospital and the excellent level of expertise and care that is available to us here on Salt Spring Island.  We are equally proud of our community that continues to support our cause so that we can be assured to have superb medical services right here, closer to home.

 Our Phantom Ball theme this year is a Spa Package for Two at the exclusive Gulf Islands resort, Galiano Inn – Oceanfront Inn & Spa. 

 Visit our Events Page for more information and to download an entry form.

You can contact us at 250-538-4845, or email Diana.Hayes@viha.ca

Dr. Barclay demonstrates M.C. Kelly.

Mega Code Kelly, a.k.a. M.C. Kelly, is the new versatile medical training “manikin” (as spelled in the medical world) recently purchased by the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation and offers a wide range of educational opportunities for our local docs and nurses.  A big part of working at the Lady Minto Hospital is the demanding role of providing emergency room coverage on a 24/7 basis for our community.  This means staying up-to-date with the most advanced procedures in order to treat anything and everything that comes through the doors, including such urgent and life-threatening conditions as heart attacks, multiple trauma, airway obstructions and G.I. bleeds.

Chief of Staff, Dr. Shane Barclay is excited about this new acquisition which he presented as a proposal to the Foundation Board at their February meeting.  The $12,000 teaching device was used at a week-end RemTech course provided at Lady Minto Hospital by V.I.H.A. emergency physicians and after experiencing Mega Code Kelly first-hand, Dr. Barclay came back to Salt Spring and did some homework on the advantages of having this sophisticated manikin on site.

M.C. Kelly can be programmed to simulate a multitude of diagnostic scenarios.

“How does Mega Code Kelly work and what can she teach?” I asked.  The manikin is computer chip powered and can be pre-programmed with a myriad of medical scenarios to provided standardized training.  It can also be programmed for customized scenarios. Dr. Barclay has specifically programmed M.C. Kelly to run through medical situations such as treatment for severe head injuries, pneumothorax and difficult airway.  These programs require that users complete initial treatment or diagnostic steps successfully before the next step can be taken.   In the case of emergency cardiac treatment, a total of 1,400 cardiac rhythms, with synchronized pulses, allow users to interpret and intervene with defibrillation, pacing and drug administration.

M.C. Kelly can replace the need for expensive on-site Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) courses and can in fact teach a broad range of solutions for abnormal cardiac rhythms.  ACLS and ATLS (Trauma) certification can be achieved with M.C. Kelly when a certified instructor oversees the training and testing using the manikin.

Other training opportunities include assessment of heart, breath and bowel sounds as well as pupillary assessment of normal, constriction and dilated pupils.  The instructor-controlled blood pressure arm allows for realistic palpation and auscultation.   I.V. drug administration via bolus or drip using the multivenous arm, chest tube insertion, trauma bleeding control and first aid training are all part of what M.C.Kelly can offer.

M.C. Kelly in action.

I asked Dr. Barclay how medical students learned these techniques in the pre-Mega Code Kelly days.  He explained that a veterinarian had to be hired to provide live animals (usually dogs or pigs) so that procedures could actually be done on actual specimens.  Unfortunately, following the training sessions, the animals were euthanized.  “This was always a costly option”, Dr. Barclay says, “as the vet had to be hired and the animals had to be obtained and then euthanized.  Not a great solution but the only one available for a long time until this high tech equipment became available through a company called Laerdal about ten years ago.”

There have been a number of training sessions offered to nurses and doctors over the past few months and the Mega Code Kelly is always available for practice.  There is nothing like the real thing when it comes to perfecting medical technique.  This device will increase the competency of our staff here at Lady Minto Hospital and with its pre-programmed capabilities, it can be tailored to teach the exact scenarios that are most likely to come through the emergency room doors.

Mega Code Kelly is durable, rugged and lifelike, made to withstand years of use – just what we want in a manikin. It even comes with sound effects!… cough! Moan! Gurgle Gurgle!

This purchase is another case of donor dollars going to great use and actually helping to save lives here on Salt Spring Island.  The Lady Minto Hospital Foundation will be arranging a public demonstration of Mega Code Kelly (date and time will be announced in the next few weeks).  Be sure to come out and see for yourself how this equipment works and how it can help you and your loved ones if they require emergency treatment.  We will also be demonstrating a number of other recently purchased items including the FAST Ultrasound machine, the Tonometer which is a sophisticated device that measures eye pressure and the Interosseous device which teaches correct technique for introducing I.V. lines into bone.
 
 

A LADY MINTO HOSPITAL FOUNDATION PROGRAM

Recognizing exemplary patient care by hospital staff

and medical professionals

Helping Hearts Program

The Helping Hearts program provides grateful patients, their families, and their friends with

the opportunity to support excellence in patient care at the Lady Minto Hospital while also recognizing exceptional service by a particular individual or health care team — the people who made the difference in their visit or stay at the hospital.

Our Patients Appreciate You

Many people want to show their appreciation for those who were there when they needed them most.  Often grateful patients express their gratitude to hospital staff by sending a small gift or a box of chocolates. The Helping Hearts program provides an alternative that is deeply meaningful and has a lasting benefit to staff as well as future patients.

Gifts received through the Helping Hearts program help to create an environment in which medical professionals experience greater satisfaction and have greater opportunity to excel.

The Lady Minto Hospital Foundation works closely with the hospitals to determine the highest priorities each year, so that funds are always directed to where they are needed most. Recognizing caregivers is a wonderful way to support our hospital.

BECOME A HELPING HEART

Many grateful patients would like to do more for their hospital but don’t know how. As a Lady Minto doctor, nurse, or other staff member, you can help by informing patients about this program and providing them with Helping Hearts brochures and information.  The Lady Minto Hospital’s Helping Hearts program helps the hospital to provide the best care possible.

The funds will be used to support special projects and programs at the hospitals.

HOW THE HELPING HEARTS PROGRAM WORKS

When you are recognized for your outstanding service through the Helping Hearts program,

you will receive:

• A congratulatory letter from the Foundation acknowledging that a gift was made in

your honour

• A Helping Hearts lapel pin to wear proudly
• A Helping Hearts thank-you letter for you to sign to the grateful patient who nominated you, which we will deliver on your behalf.

The Lady Minto Hospital Foundation is honoured to work with such extraordinary doctors, nurses, therapists, technicians, and other hospital staff.

We are proud to offer the Helping Hearts program as our way of providing you with the recognition you deserve for all your hard work and exceptional service.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Communication and sharing of information are key to the success of the Helping Hearts program. Please display informational materials where possible.

Help us educate your patients about the Helping Hearts program. Grateful patients

are among the best individuals to help raise funds for our hospital.

Let patients know they can contribute through the Foundation office at this hospital.  Diana Hayes or Karen Mouat can be reached at local  64845 or 64824 and their office in on the second floor of the Annex Building.

Just do what you already do for every patient: Continue to provide the highest

quality care and service!

Veronica Hylands, Endoscopy Nurse & Dr. John Morse, Internist

How did Salt Spring Island end up so lucky to have access to his services? John Morse and his family had been living up in Yellowknife for the past 18 years. During this time, Dr. Shane Barclay was working part time in Fort Simpson and they became friends. Apparently the conversation went something like, “if you ever get tired of working in the north and want to work in BC, let me know.” Eventually a move south became very appealing and the Morses moved to Maple Bay. Thus began the talks about Endoscopy at Lady Minto Hospital.

Dona MacKie, Endoscopy Nurse Supervisor

Salt Spring Island has kept him very busy. A year ago, Dr. Morse began commuting from Maple Bay every Tuesday. However, two clinic days and two procedure days per month still could not meet the demand. There was a growing wait list as previously, people had tended to put off the procedure as it required off-island travel.   The great news is now they don’t have to cross the sea.  So full are Dr. Morse’s days on Salt Spring Island that, as of this January, VIHA added two additional endoscopy days to Lady Minto’s OR Schedule.  This has increased the monthly statistics for endoscopy from approximately 20 procedures per month, 3 years ago, to 44 per month in 2011– more than double the number.

Dr. Morse comes from a family of doctors, following in his Father’s footsteps as an internist. He was always interested in physiology and research, but found he gained more pleasure in helping people. Dr. Morse has been an Internist for 31 years and has  a special interest in gastroenterology.  He started his schooling at Dalhousie and completed it at University of Alberta.

As a Gastroenterology Fellow at U. of A., colonoscopies were new, still reserved for abnormalities, so he did not do them until 3 years later after working with a Halifax Endoscopist to learn the procedures. Since then, diagnostic tools have changed a lot.  The fiberscopic telescope was replaced about 15 years ago with video scopes and T.V. screens. The new scopes are slimmer and flexible which enables more adaptability according to each unique situation.   Another development in the area is Narrow Band Imaging, an optical filter technology that radically improves the visibility of capillaries, veins and other subtle tissue structures such as polyps.  All of this new technology is at the fingertips of the Operating Room Team at Lady Minto.

Dr. David Woodley, Anesthetist

According to this very amicable specialist, endoscopy is very much about intervention and reacting to findings.  Patients are always made aware of the risks as well as the benefits of endoscopies at their clinic visit with Dr. Morse. After a recent visit, an impressed patient remarked, “I walked into the room, he shook my hand, called me by my name, asked if I knew why I was there. He sat beside me and we talked through the possibilities we might find. He was thorough. I found him so personable.

There are national guidelines on the use of colonoscopy screenings.  Dr. Morse sees people daily who ask to be screened because of their age, genetic predisposition to disease and family history, particularly with cancer.  According to Dr. Morse, screening without symptoms is almost always the best time to do an examination.

When asked how he feels about his team, Dr. Morse describes them as “exceptional people, very experienced and they care about their patients.” He also commented that the OR space is “amazing and equipped with first class equipment.” He is particularly pleased with the cleaning process as that gives him confidence that the scopes are safe. He points out that his opinion is echoed by external evaluations that have also shown that our endoscopy room exceeds Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) requirements. At the end of the day, all of this gives patients the confidence to know that they are being provided with an exceptional service by very capable and caring hands, right here on the island.